Bougainville killing in Kono recalls former tensions

The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, says a former leader of the resistance during the civil war may have been killed by Me-ekamui rebels.

Jacob Naisi was shot dead at close range in Kono in the Buin district on the south of the island of Bougainville at the weekend.

The ABG President Joseph Kabui says Mr Naisi, who lived in the area, was one of the strongest supporters of the peace process on the island.

Me'ekamui rebels had fought for independence during the civil war, and Mr Kabui says while most have now joined with his Government in trying to bring services to their regions, that is not the case at Kono.

"It is one spot in Bougainville that is still - there are tensions so on and so forth, still suspicions, still haunting the area."